Eisenhower instructor a Grammy Award finalist

Justin Antos, Eisenhower High School’s award winning music instructor and band director, just got an early holiday gift— a Grammy finalist nomination.

The newswas enough to “floor” Antos, one of 10 finalists for the 2020 Music Educator Award. The lucky 10 were winnowed down frommore than the 3,300 music teachers nationwide. The winner will be announced in January during GrammyWeek.

“The level of respect and admiration I have for these colleagues kind of far outweighsmy confidence inmyself,” said Antos. “I feel like this is all very surreal.”

A music educator for more than a decade, Antos has madeit his mission to put students first, offering them extra help and staying into the evening for band instruction and rehearsals. He and the school have received a handful of awards for these efforts.

Even during the pandemic, Antos has tried to give his students at the school in Blue Island— many who are from lower income homes— a personal touch, albeit virtually.

“I check in with every individual student several times each week individually on Zoom to hear their progress on their specific solo,” said Antos.

But when there’s hybrid learning, Antos wants his students to enjoy it.

“Any chance we get to actually sit down and play our instruments, we’re not going to be doing any grading or tests, we’ll just be coming together to make music, love it and experience that human connection, said Antos.

If Antos wins, he plans to donate his $10,000 share of the prize to the school, whichwould already be getting its own $10,000 for the win.

“They’re the ones who put me in this position,” said Antos. “Thisway the kids can benefitmore than theywould have.”

— JaniceNeumann

Blessing ceremony for new fire engine inNewLenox

Officials this week welcomed a new fire engine that will be going into service for the New Lenox Fire Protection District.

Fire Chief Adam Riegel, Deputy Chief Dan Turner, Chaplain Bill Ciston and members of the department took part in the blessing of the new engine on Tuesday afternoon. It is part of a fire service tradition that dates to the days of horse-drawn engines. The new apparatus is blessed, thenwelcomed by pushing it into its new quarters at the fire station.

According to Chief Riegel, “The push-in ritual can be traced back to the late 1800s when itwas a challenge to get horses to push equipment backward. As a result, firefighters moved the equipment into storage areas by hand.”

The new fire engine is a 2020 Pierce Saber with a 1500 gallon per minute Waterous pump and 750-gallon water tank. It is an Advanced Life Support equipped engine, which gives it the same capabilities as an ambulance apart from transport. It is replacing a 2004 Pierce Dash, which will be used a reserve engine.

South Suburban Links chapter gets in virtual groove

The South Suburban Chicago Chapter of The Links, Inc. held its first virtual fundraiser, 2020 Gettin’ in the Holiday Groove Dec. 5.

Supporters experienced an hour of highlights from the group’s past holiday fundraisers, featuring music from previous entertainers as they raised funds for scholarships and community programs through donations and a raffle.

“In addition to providing transformational programs in The Arts, STEMEducation, and supporting a school for the blind in Liberia, Africa, SSCC believes young qualified high school graduates should not be denied a college education because of inadequate funds. Therefore, we vow to continue to educate and mentor young inquisitive minds,” saidMallory Sutton, chapter president.

Since 2005, the chapter has issued nearly $225,000 in renewable scholarships. More information on the group is at ssclinks.org.

Healthworkers get $23K in gift cards good at local businesses

The Board of Trustees for Smith Senior Living, which sponsors Smith Village in Chicago’s Beverly neighborhood and Smith Crossing in Orland Park, recently collaborated with local businesses near eachcampusto thank employees of both facilities for their exceptional service and dedication to residents.

Each employee received a gift certificate redeemable at one or more establishments in the area surrounding each senior living campus. In total, this employee gift certificate program will drive more than $23,500 into the local economies.

“We are so proud of howSmith staff members have risen to face unprecedented challenges this year. Keeping our residents safe during theCOVID-19 pandemic has required a truly extraordinary level of commitment and care,” said Kay E. Thurn, chair of Smith Senior Living board of trustees.

“We are delighted to help organize this program with Smith Senior Living,” said Felicitas Cortez, executive director of Orland Park Area Chamber of Commerce. “We recruited six restaurantswhoappreciate the opportunity to attract more customers. Helping businesses make connections to support each other is always important, but in a challenging year like 2020, it really doesmake a difference.”

Caroline Connors, executive director of theMorganPark Beverly Hills Business Association, agreed.“We are excited to see Smith trustees chose a program our association introduced this holiday season for establishments in the Beverly, Morgan Park andMt. Greenwood neighborhoods,” she said. “Now more than ever, it is essential all of us support small business.”

Joliet Junior College gets boost for workforce training program

Joliet Junior College is one of 17 Illinois community colleges to receive grant funding through the Illinois Community College Board’s Workforce Equity Initiative program meant to provide workforce training in highdemand, high-growth occupations for people from underserved and underrepresented populations.

JJC has been awarded almost $1.2 million dollars to provide workforce training in several occupations — commercial truck driver, dental assistant, HVAC technician, industrial maintenance technician, phlebotomy technician, process operator technician and warehouse associate.

Through JJC’s program, students receive foundational training to start a career in a high growth, high demand industry aswell as the required textbooks and supplies.

Students also receive a gas card or bus pass to cover their transportation expenses to and from training. Upon successful completion of the program, participants will earn a stipend. Work readiness preparation that focuses on soft skills, resume development, interviewing techniques and job placement assistance is also embedded into the training.

Aminimumof60% of the population servedthroughthis grant must be African American. Training is available at no cost ifparticipants meet the grant’s eligibility requirements. More information can be found at www.trainingupdate.org/workforce-equity.